I've never seen this before!!

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I was welding on a little project in the shop w/ my Thunderbolt A/C D/C. Finished burning an 1/8" 6011 and stuck a new one in the stinger. Couldn't get it to start an arc, I mean nothing. Got my volt meter to check OCV, 79 v. Took the shroud off the welder, couldn't see anything burned or loose. Checked input volts, 240v. Tapped the rod against the ground some more, still nothing. Grabbed another rod and everything works fine. Took the troublesome rod to the grinder and grind 'til I see sparks, stick it in the stinger and it lites right up. I've never seen any 60xx rod w/ the flux over the end so thick you couldn't get it to arc. Sure had me going. I guess if it happens again I'll look closer at the rod end first,LOL!!                                           MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:It was either a late Friday or first run Monday batch.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I've read numerous times that guys will keep a good file close by, and give it a quick run over the end of the stick before lighting up. Makes for better starts.
Reply:Thats no good... Ive had 7018 do that a few times, but its rare, and its never happened to me with anything else. Glad you got it sorted out [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:That's why I stash a file in my back pocket... Easy startsLincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:I usually just take it out of the stinger and bang the end into the work a few times.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:Well, Mike...   when I first previewed this thread, I was assuming you'd just accidentally switched the machine from AC/DC to " A/C D/C " and somehow upset the welding gods.....but I find someone had tried (perhaps successfully (?)) to weld some dirt and got a blob stuck on the electrode end?  Don't you supervise the kids in your neighborhood, or keep the shop secured?
Reply:I try to have a brick handy, or tap the rod on clean concrete.
Reply:There was a guy that played a joke on a coworker and laquered the ends of his rods.  The joke was reversed and became real funny.  Seems the joker set the "newly opened" 50lb tin in the front of his truck and told the jokee he could have the box of p5's.   Well the jokee went out and pulled a partial box of p5's out of the rod well and set the "newly opened" 50lb tin in the well.  the jokee was thankful for the help and took the lesser of the two boxes.All day long the Joker was having fits with his rods and could figure out what was wrong until late that evening when everyone was back at the shop punching the clock and aked the jokee about his day did it dawn on him what happened.   Yep...funny stuff right there.